Shielding tape grounding device for high voltage cables

ABSTRACT

A shielding tape grounding device which is installed on a high voltage cable of the type having a metallic shielding tape for the purpose of grounding the shielding tape, the device including a sleeve of elastomeric material, preferably electrically conductive, a corrugated band seated within the sleeve, a grounding rod connected to the band, and a clamp surrounding the sleeve and the band such that the sleeve may be slipped over the cable to place the band over a bared portion of the metallic shielding tape and the clamp may be tightened to draw the band into engagement with the tape and provide a direct connection to ground through the grounding rod.

This is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 112,146 filed Feb. 3,1971, now abandoned.

The present invention relates generally to devices for connecting orterminating shielded high voltage power cables and pertains, morespecifically, to grounding devices which may be employed to facilitatetermination of metallic shielding tapes in such cables and enable theutilization of currently available connectors and terminators withcables of the type employing metallic tape shields.

In recent years, heavy emphasis has been placed upon the development ofunderground electrical power distribution systems, especially in lightindustrial, commercial and residential areas. Various power distributioncomponents, such as shielded electrical cables, transformers andelectrical connectors have been evolved for use in such systems.

Among these components, shielded electrical connectors and terminatorshave been developed which are readily assembled in the field at theterminal ends of shielded electrical cables so as to facilitate theconstruction and installation of underground power distribution systems.Many of these components may be installed in the field without requiringsoldering or complex taping and have met with wide acceptance.

In installations where the shielded high voltage power cables are of thetype having a central conductor surrounded by an insulator which is, inturn, surrounded by a shielding system including a metallic tape shield,it is often necessary to connect the metallic tape shield to ground atprescribed locations, and especially adjacent the terminal ends of thecables where connectors or terminations are to be installed. It would beadvantageous to have available a grounding device which would enable aneffective connection of such a shield to ground to be accomplished withan ease of assembly similar to that enjoyed by the currently availablecomponents described above.

It is therefore an important object of the invention to provide ashielding tape grounding device which, when installed upon a highvoltage power cable of the type having a metallic tape shield, willeffectively ground the tape shield.

Another object of the invention is to provide a grounding device of thetype described above which has a current-carrying capacity of the orderof magnitude of, and preferably at least as great as that of, the cableshield itself.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a grounding deviceof the type described above which is fabricated entirely in the factoryand is easily installed in the field without soldering and withoutcomplex taping.

A further object of the invention is to provide a grounding device forfacilitating the grounding of a metallic tape shield in a power cable,the grounding device having an electrical contact for making aneffective ground connection with the metallic tape shield andconstructed so as to accommodate various cable size ranges anddimensional variations arising out of varying thermal conditions whilemaintaining such an effective ground connection.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a grounding deviceof the type described wherein the metallic tape shield is connected to agrounding conductor, and electrical connections between the metallictape shield and the grounding conductor are protected against corrosiveelements in the environment of the installation by a watertight housing.

Another object of the invention is to provide a grounding device which,when installed adjacent the terminal end of a shielded high voltagepower cable of the type having a metallic tape shield, will effectivelyterminate the tape shield and will serve as an adaptor for facilitatingthe employment of a shielded connector or terminator at the terminal endof the cable.

The above objects, as well as still further objects and advantages, areattained by the invention which may be described briefly as a shieldingtape grounding device for use in connection with a shielded high voltagepower cable of the type having an inner conductor, insulationsurrounding the conductor, a shielding system including a metallic tapeshield surrounding the insulation, and an outer jacket surrounding themetallic tape shield, the grounding device comprising an annularclamping means having an axial bore and including an inner surfaceportion with an internal diameter substantially greater than theexternal diameter of the metallic tape shield, electrical contact meansincluding a band of conductive material juxtaposed with the innersurface portion extending circumferentially around at least a portion ofthe outer periphery of the metallic tape shield, means for contactingthe clamping means such that contraction of the clamping means willcontract the band radially into effective electrical contact with abared portion of the metallic tape shield when the clamping means islocated on the cable with the band around the bared portion, flexuremeans between the inside diameter of the band and the inner surfaceportion of the clamping means for enabling resilient flexure of the bandin a radial direction relative to the clamping means and/or the metallictape shield, and a grounding conductor electrically connected to theband and extending radially outwardly beyond the clamping means.

The invention will be more fully understood, while still further objectsand advantages will be made apparent, in the following detaileddescription of preferred embodiments of the invention illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating the employment of two groundingdevices constructed in accordance with the invention in conjunction withan electrical connection made between the terminal ends of a pair ofshielded high voltage electrical cables, the grounding devices beingturned 90° relative to one another to illustrate them in both plan andelevation;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 2--2 of FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a corrugated band employed in a groundingdevice constructed in accordance with the invention, the band lying flatfor illustrative purposes;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 5--5 of FIG.4;

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of another groundingdevice constructed in accordance with the invention and employed inconjunction with an electrical connector; and

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7--7 of FIG. 6.

Referring now to the drawing, and especially to FIG. 1 thereof, there isillustrated a pair of high voltage shielded electrical cables 10 and 12which are connected together mechanically as well as electrically bymeans of an electrical connector 14 and which form a part of anunderground power distribution system. As best seen in FIG. 2, thecables 10 and 12 are of the type having a central conductor 16surrounded by insulation 18 which is, in turn, surrounded by a shieldingsystem 20 including a shielding bedding tape 22 and a metallic shieldingtape 24. The shielding system 20 is surrounded by a protective outerjacket 26 which is usually constructed of an extruded synthetic resin oran elastomer and, in some instances, is fabricated of a conductiveelastomer.

The connector 14 is of the type having a pair of mating compositehousings 28 and 30 (see FIG. 1), each housing having an outer member 32of electrically conductive elastomeric material and an integral innermember 34 of an insulating elastomeric material. The inner member 34 ismade to grip the insulation 18 of the cable while the outer member 32includes a portion 36 for gripping and making electrical contact withthe shielding system 20 of the cable. Also included within the connector14 (but not illustrated) is an electrical contact member whichinterconnects the conductors 16 of the cables within the connector. Theouter members 32 of the composite housings 28 and 30 are interconnectedso as to provide a continuous shield along the connector 14 between theterminated shielding systems 20 of the cables 10 and 12. However, it isnot desirable that the shielding systems 20 be grounded through theshield provided by the conductive elastomer of the outer members 32 ofthe composite housings. Therefore, it becomes necessary to accommodatethe current which might appear in the shielding systems of the cables 10and 12 in some other manner.

In order to accommodate the current-carrying capacity of the shieldingsystem 20 of each cable 10 and 12, a grounding device 40 constructed inaccordance with the invention is adapted to engage a bared portion 42 ofthe metallic shielding tape 24 of the shielding system 20 in each cable10 and 12. As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the grounding device 40 has anannular clamping means shown in the form of a sleeve 44 of elastomericmaterial and a strap 46 extending around the exterior of the sleeve. Thesleeve 44 has an axial bore 47 which defines an inner surface portion 48having an internal diameter substantially greater than the externaldiameter of the metallic shielding tape 24. An electrical contact shownin the form of a band 50 of conductive material is juxtaposed withrespect to the inner surface portion 48 within axial bore 47 of thesleeve 44 and extends circumferentially around at least a part of theouter periphery of the metallic tape shield 24 and preferably around thegreatest part of the metallic tape shield's outer periphery as seen inFIG. 3. The band 50 is preferably fabricated of a copper strip and isprovided with flexure means illustrated in the form of a series ofaxially extending groove-forming undulations or corrugations 52 whichenable the band to flex resiliently in a radial direction relative toboth the strap 46 and the outer periphery of the metallic tape shield 24for purposes which will be described more fully hereinafter. A groundingconductor shown in the form of a grounding rod 54, preferably a copperrod, having a pair of remotely disposed ends is affixed to the band 50,preferably by seating one end of the grounding rod within a groove orcorrugation in the band and by brazing or soldering the seated end as at56.

Preferably, the inside diameter of the corrugated band 50 is slightlylarger than the outside diameter of the bared portion 42 of the metallicshielding tape 24, but the band 50 may be contracted selectively andhave its inside diameter decreased by means which will circumferentiallycontract the strap 46 extending around the outside of the sleeve 44 atthe axial location where the strap 46 is circumjacent with respect tothe band 50 as shown, for example, in FIG. 2. The strap 46 may becontracted circumferentially, and radially, by tightening a screw andnut assembly 58 which passes through a pair of ears 60 appended to thestrap 46. Such contraction of the strap 46 will contract or constrictthe band 50 and radially urge the axially extending contact peaks 62formed between each pair of adjacent grooves or corrugations 52 intoengagement with the bared portion 42 of the metallic tape shield 24. Inaddition, as will appear obvious from FIG. 3, the corrugations 52 in theband 50 will also permit the band to flex circumferentially, that is,upon contraction or constriction of the band 50 the latter will elongateslightly in the circumferential direction relative to the outerperiphery of the bare portion 42 of the metallic tape shield 24.

The construction of the band 50 is more fully illustrated in FIGS. 4 and5. The flexure means provided in the band 50 by the grooves orcorrugations 52 which extend radially between the inside diameter of theband and the inner surface portion 48 defined by the axial bore 47 andaxially with respect to the cables 10, 12, enable the band toaccommodate various cable size ranges by virtue of the radialflexibility imparted by the corrugations. Such flexibility isadvantageous too in permitting band 50 to adjust itself to dimensionalvariations caused by varying thermal conditions while still maintaininga relatively constant contact pressure between the band and the baredportion 42 of the metallic shielding tape 24. In addition, the radialflexibility, as provided by the corrugations 52, will not affect thecontact area between the band 50 and the shield 24 since the contactpeaks 62 of the corrugations 52 will tend to remain seated upon thebared portion 42 despite radial flexing of the band. Finally, as shownin FIGS. 2 and 3, the radial flexibility of the band 50 due to itscorrugated construction readily permits the seated end of the groundingrod to be radially displaced into direct contact with the outer surfaceof the metallic shielding tape 24 when the screw and nut assembly 58 istightened and the strap 46 and the band 50 contracted as hereinabovedescribed. The elastomeric sleeve 44 serves as a cushion whichsupplements the corrugations 52 in maintaining an adequate clampingforce between the band 50 and the metallic shielding tape 24 uponvariations in size of the cable due to varying thermal conditions.

In addition to the mechanical flexibility imparted by the employment ofaxial corrugations 52, the axial corrugations 52 provide the band 50with a configuration which utilizes an increased amount of metal overand above that amount which actually contacts the metallic shieldingtape 24, thus enabling the band 50 to serve as a heat sink forconducting heat away from the bared portion of the metallic shieldingtape 24 and increasing the current-carrying capacity of the metallicshielding tape 24 at the bared portion thereof. Sleeve 44 is alsopreferably fabricated of a conductive material.

In order to install the grounding device 40 adjacent the terminus ofcable 10 or 12, the cable is first prepared by removing an end portionof the outer jacket 26 so that the outer jacket will terminate at 64 andthe metallic shielding tape 24 of the shielding system 20 will beexposed beyond the terminal end 64 of the outer jacket. An end portionof the metallic shielding tape 24, together with a corresponding portionof the shielding bedding tape 22, are then removed to expose theinsulation 18 and the shielding system 20 is made to terminate at 66.The terminal end 66 of the shielding system 20 is then preferablyanchored to the insulation 18 by a coil 68 of adhesive tape, such asordinary electrical tape, and the grounding device 40 is slipped overthe terminus of the cable and into position over the bared portion 42 ofthe metallic shielding tape 24, as illustrated in FIG. 2. During suchinstallation, the strap 46 is either removed from the sleeve 44 or ismerely loosely held upon the sleeve so that the band 50 is relaxed andhas an internal diameter great enough to pass over the metallicshielding tape 24 without disturbing the shielding tape. In order tofacilitate such passage and preclude any snagging of the metallicshielding tape 24 by the band 50, the end edges 70 of the contact peaks62 of the corrugations 52 are provided with a slight radius (see FIG.5).

The screw and nut assembly 58 may then be tightened to contract thestrap 46 and draw the band 50 against the bared portion 42 of themetallic shielding tape 24, thereby establishing an electricalconnection of high current capacity between the band and the metallicshielding tape and consequently between the grounding rod 54 and theshielding system 20. Thus, grounding device 40 enables the shieldingsystem 20 to be terminated with a ground connection having acurrent-carrying capacity which matches the capacity of the shieldingsystem itself.

In order to protect the internal connection of the grounding device 40,as well as the bared portion 42 of the shield system 20, from corrosiveelements in the vicinity of the installation, a housing 72 is fittedover the internal connection of the grounding device. The housing 72 isconstructed of an elastomeric material, preferably electricallyconductive, and includes at one end thereof a first end portion 74having an internal bore 76 with an internal diameter which is normallyslightly smaller than the external diameter of the outer jacket 26 suchthat the internal bore 76 must be resiliently dilated to receive theouter jacket 26 and will engage and grip the outer jacket in watertightrelationship therewith when the housing 72 is in place, as shown in FIG.2. At the other end of the housing 72 is a portion 78 having an internalbore 80 with an internal diameter which is normally slightly smallerthan the external diameter of the corresponding end portion 82 of theelectrical connector 14 so that this further internal bore 80 must beresiliently dilated to receive the end portion 82 of the electricalconnector 14 and will engage and grip the end portion 82 in watertightrelationship therewith to seal the interior of the housing 72 againstcorrosive elements. The grounding rod 54 extends through an exitaperture or collar 84 communicating with the interior of housing 72which collar likewise grips the grounding rod in watertight relationshipto enable the rod 54 to pass out of the housing 72 while maintaining theintegrity of the sealed interior of the housing.

In the installation of the grounding device 40, the housing 72 is firstslipped over the cable well beyond the terminal end 64 of the outerjacket 26 and prior to installation of the band 50 with the projectinggrounding rod 54. The grounding rod 54 projects at an angle away fromthe terminus of the cable 10 and toward the housing 72 which has beenpreviously placed over the cable so that upon completion of theinstallation of the band 50 upon the bared portion 42 of the metallicshielding tape 24, the housing 72 may be pulled forward and theprojecting end of the grounding rod 54 may be passed through the exitaperture or collar 84 to enable proper location of the housing 72without interference from the grounding rod 54. It is noted that sincethe installed corrugated band 50 serves as a heat sink for the baredportion 42 of the shielding system 20 in place of the heat sinkpreviously provided by the outer jacket 26, it is desirable to locatethe corrugated band 50 in close proximity with the terminal end 64 ofthe outer jacket 26 so as to reduce any tendency for heat to build up ina current-carrying length of bared metallic shielding tape 24. In orderto enable the corrugated band 50 to be placed in close proximity to theterminal end 64 of the outer jacket 26, the band 50 is notched at 86(also see FIG. 4) to enable the grounding rod 54 to project from theband 50 at a desired angle without interfering with the desired locationof the band relative to the teminal end of the outer jacket.

Turning now to the alternate embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7,there is again illustrated a high voltage shielded electrical cable 100of the type having a central conductor 102, insulation 104 surroundingthe conductor, a shielding system 106 surrounded the insulation 104 andincluding a shielding bedding tape 108 surrounded by a metallicshielding tape 110, and an outer jacket 112 of an extruded syntheticresin or an elastomeric material surrounding the shielding system.

Cable 100 is also a part of an underground power distribution systembut, in this instance, cable 100 is terminated with an electricalconnector 114 of the type which ordinarily would be installed at theterminus of a shielded cable of the concentric neutral type in which theshielding system of the cable includes an external outer jacket ofconductive elastomeric material. Thus, as best seen in FIG. 6, theelectrical connector 114 has a composite housing 116 which includes aninner member 118 of insulating elastomeric material and an outer member120 of conductive elastomeric material, and at the rearward end of theconnector 114, the outer member 120 is provided with an inner axial boreportion 122 having an inside diameter which ordinarily would correspondto the outside diameter of the conductive elastomeric shield of such aconcentric neutral cable in order to engage and grip the shield and makeelectrical contact therewith so as to preserve the electrical continuityof the shield and continue the shield along the length of the connector.However, cable 100 is not such a cable in that cable 100 employs ashielding system 106 which includes a metallic shielding tape 110. Inorder to enable the connector 114 to be installed properly at theterminus of cable 100, the shielding system 106 must be terminated in aneffective manner. The effective termination of the shielding system 106is accomplished through utilization of another embodiment of theinvention illustrated in the form of grounding device 130, in thisinstance the grounding device also serving as an adaptor.

Referring now to both FIGS. 6 and 7, the grounding device 130 has anouter housing in the form of a sleeve 132 of electrically conductiveelastomeric material. The axial bore 134 of the sleeve 132 defines anintermediate inner surface portion 136 which is recessed with respect toa forward end inner surface portion 138 and a rearward end inner surfaceportion 140 to provide an internal diameter which is substantiallylarger than the outside diameter of the bared portion 142 of themetallic shielding tape 110 over which the grounding device 130 has beenfitted. An electrical contact in the form of a band 144 of conductivematerial is seated within the recessed surface portion 136 of the axialbore 134 and extends circumferentially around at least a part of theouter periphery of the metallic shielding tape 110, and preferablyaround the greatest part of the metallic shielding tape's outerperiphery, as seen in FIG. 7. The band 144 is preferably fabricated of acopper strip and is provided with a flexure means illustrated in theform of a series of axially extending groove-forming undulations orcorrugations 146 which enable the band to flex resiliently in a radialdirection for purposes which have already been explained above inconnection with the earlier described embodiment. A grounding conductorshown in the form of a grounding rod 148, preferably a copper rod, hasone of its ends seated within a groove or corrugation 146 and is affixedto the band 144, by brazing or soldering at 150, and has its other endextending through an exit aperture or collar 152 in sleeve 132 toproject radially beyond the sleeve.

Preferably, the inside diameter of the undulated or corrugated band 144is slightly larger than the outside diameter of the bared portion 142 ofthe metallic shielding tape 110, but the band may be contractedselectively and have its inside diameter decreased by a strap 154 whichextends around the outside of the sleeve 132 at an axial location wherethe strap 154 is circumjacent with respect to the band 144. The strap154 may be contracted circumferentially, and radially, by tightening ascrew and nut assembly 156 which passes through a pair of ears 158appended to the strap. Such contraction of the strap 154 will contractor constrict the band 144 and will radially urge the axially extendingcontact peaks 160 of the corrugations 146 into engagement with the baredportion 142 of the metallic shielding tape 110.

In order to install the connector 114 at the terminus of cable 100, thecable is first prepared by removing an end portion of the outer jacket112 so that the outer jacket will terminate at 162 and the shieldingsystem 106 will be exposed beyond the terminal end 162 of the outerjacket. An end portion of the shielding system 106 is then removed toexpose the insulation 104 and the shielding system 106 is made toterminate at 166. The terminal end 166 of the shielding system 106 isthen preferably anchored to the insulation 104 by a coil 168 of adhesivetape, such as ordinary electrical tape, and the grounding device 130 isslipped over the terminus of the cable and into position over the baredportion 142 of the shielding system 106, as illustrated in FIG. 6.During such installation, the strap 154 is either removed from thesleeve 132 or is merely loosely held upon the sleeve so that the band144 is relaxed and has an internal diameter great enough to pass overthe metallic shielding tape 110 without disturbing the shielding tape.In order to facilitate such passage and preclude any snagging of themetallic shielding tape 110 by the band 144, the end edges 170 of thecontact peaks 160 of corrugations 146 are provided with a slight radius.

When the sleeve 132 is advanced into proper position upon the cable 100,as seen in FIG. 6, the forward end of the sleeve will overlap the outerjacket 112 and the inner surface portion 138 will be resiliently dilatedto grip the outer jacket in watertight relationship therewith. At thesame time, the rearward end of the sleeve will overlap the insulator 104and the inner surface portion 140 will be resiliently dilated to gripthe insulation in watertight relationship therewith. The exit apertureor collar 152 also grips the grounding rod 148 to effect a water sealwhere the grounding rod passes through the sleeve 132 so that the band144 and the bared portion 142 of the shielding system 106 are sealedagainst corrosive elements outside the sleeve.

The screw and nut assembly 156 may then be tightened to contract thestrap 154 and radially displace the band 144 against the bared portion142 of the metallic shielding tape 110, thereby establishing anelectrical connection of high current capacity between the band and themetallic shielding tape and consequently between the grounding rod 148and the shielding system 106. Thus, the grounding device 130 enables theshielding system 106 to be terminated with a ground connection having acurrent-carrying capacity which matches the capacity of the shieldingsystem itself.

In order to complete the electrical continuity of the shield between thecable 100 and the electrical connector 114, the rearward end of thesleeve 132 is provided with an outer surface portion 172 having adiameter corresponding to the inside diameter of the inner axial boreportion 122 of the outer member 120 of the electrical connector 114 sothat upon completion of the installation of the grounding device 130,the electrical connector 114 may be installed at the terminus of cable100 with the inner bore portion 122 gripping the outer surface portion172 of the grounding device 130 and the shield provided by the shieldingsystem 106 is continued through the sleeve 132 to the outer member 120.Thus, the grounding device 130 not only terminates the shielding system106 but serves as an adaptor enabling the electrical connector 114 to beemployed in connection with cable 100 rather than with a concentricneutral cable.

It will be apparent that grounding devices constructed in accordancewith the invention may be fabricated entirely in the factory andinstalled in the field without the necessity for soldering or complextaping in the field. The grounding devices have a current-carryingcapacity akin to the current-carrying capacity of the shielding systemsof the cables upon which they are installed since the configuration ofthe electrical contact band employed in these grounding devices providesboth an effective, well-maintained electrical connection with theshielding systems and a capacity for conducting heat from the shieldingsystems to which they are affixed. The grounding devices are readilyapplied to a wide variety of cable sizes and enhance the value ofcurrently available connectors and terminators.

It is to be understood that the above detailed description of preferredembodiments of the invention is provided by way of example only. Variousdetails of design and construction may be modified without departingfrom the true spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in theappended claims.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:
 1. A shielding tapegrounding device for use in connection with a shielded high voltagepower cable of the type having an inner conductor, insulationsurrounding the conductor, a shielding system including a metallic tapeshield surrounding the insulation, and an outer jacket surrounding themetallic tape shield, said grounding device comprising:clamping means,said clamping means including a sleeve of elastomeric material definingan inner surface portion with an internal diameter substantially greaterthan the external diameter of the metallic shield, said clamping meansincluding means selectively operable for decreasing the internaldiameter of said inner surface portion; electrical contact meansincluding a band of conductive material disposed within said elastomericsleeve in juxtaposed relation to said inner surface portion, said bandbeing adapted to extend circumferentially around at least a portion of abared portion of said metallic tape shield, said electrical contactmeans having flexure means for enabling resilient flexure of at least aportion of the band in a radial direction relative to said bared portionof said metallic tape shield in response to a decrease in the internaldiameter of said inner surface portion by the action of said selectivelyoperable means whereby said at least portion of said band is adapted toresiliently engage said metallic tape shield when said grounding deviceis located on said cable with said band extending circumferentiallyaround said at least portion of said metallic tape shield; and agrounding conductor electrically connected to the band and adapted toextend radially outward beyond the clamping means when said groundingdevice is located on said cable as hereinaforesaid.
 2. The groundingdevice of claim 1 wherein said means for selectively decreasing theinternal diameter of said inner surface portion comprises acircumferentially contractable clamp member disposed around the exteriorsurface of the sleeve, said clamp member being located at least at theaxial location of the band when said grounding device is located on saidcable.
 3. The grounding device of claim 2 wherein the material of saidsleeve is a conductive elastomer.
 4. The grounding device of claim 2wherein said flexure means include a plurality of axially extendingcorrugations in said band, said corrugations defining a first pluralityof contact peaks adapted for resilient engagement with said innersurface portion and a second plurality of contact peaks adapted forresilient engagement with said metallic shield when said groundingdevice is located on said cable, said second plurality of contact peakscomprising said at least portion of the band.
 5. The grounding device ofclaim 1 wherein said sleeve of elastomeric material includes an endportion extending axially beyond the band and the clamping means, saidend portion of the sleeve having an opening therein, the relative normaldiameters of said opening in said end portion of the sleeve and theouter jacket of the cable being such that the end portion of the sleevemust be resiliently dilated to receive the outer jacket and will engageand grip the outer jacket in watertight relationship therewith when thegrounding device is located on said cable.
 6. The grounding device ofclaim 5 wherein the sleeve is constructed of an electrically conductiveelastomeric material.
 7. The grounding device of claim 5 wherein saidsleeve includes a second end portion oppositely disposed with respect tosaid first end portion, said second end portion extending axially beyondthe band and the clamping means and having a further opening therein therelative normal diameters of the further opening and the insulation ofthe cable being such that the second end portion must be resilientlydilated to receive the insulation and will engage and grip theinsulation in watertight relationship therewith when the groundingdevice is located on said cable.
 8. The grounding device of claim 7wherein the elastomeric sleeve is of electrically conductive materialand includes an outer surface adjacent to the second end portion thereoffor cooperatively engaging and making electrical contact with acorresponding bore portion in the shield of a shielded terminator orconnector to electrically connect the shield of said terminator orconnector with the shielding system of the cable.
 9. The groundingdevice of claim 1 including a housing of elastomeric materialsurrounding at least said band when the grounding device is located onsaid cable, said housing including:opposite first and second ends; afirst end portion extending axially beyond the band and the annularclamping means toward one end of the housing; and a second end portionextending axially beyond the band and the annular clamping means towardthe other end of the housing; a first through opening within said firstend portion, the relative normal diameters of the first through openingand the outer jacket of the cable being such that the first end portionmust be resiliently dilated to receive the outer jacket of the cable andwill engage and grip the outer jacket in watertight relationshiptherewith, and a second through opening within the second end portion,the relative normal diameters of the second end portion and acorresponding outer surface of a shielded electrical connector orterminator affixed to the cable adjacent said second end of said housingbeing such that the second end portion must be resiliently dilated toreceive said corresponding surface and will engage and grip saidcorresponding surface in watertight relationship therewith.
 10. Thegrounding device of claim 9 wherein the housing is constructed of anelectrically conductive material and provides electrical continuitybetween the jacket and the corresponding outer surface of the shieldedelectrical connector or terminator.
 11. Apparatus for use in connectionwith a shielded high voltage power cable of the type having an innerconductor, insulation surrounding the conductor, a shielding systemincluding a metallic tape shield surrounding the insulation, and anouter jacket surrounding the metallic tape shield, said apparatuscomprising:electrical contact means including a band of conductivematerial adapted to surround said metallic tape shield along at least aportion of the circumferential extent of the metallic tape shield'souter periphery when a portion of said outer jacket has been removed toexpose said metallic tape shield, said electrical contact means havingmeans for enabling resilient flexure of at least a portion of said bandin both a radial and a circumferential direction relative to the outerperiphery of said metallic tape shield when said contact means isdisposed on said cable in position to circumferentially surround atleast a portion of the metallic tape shield's outer periphery,adjustable means surrounding said electrical contact means forselectively applying a force to said electrical contact means wherebysaid at least portion of said band is adapted to be radially andcircumferentially displaced into effective electrical contact with theouter periphery of said metallic tape shield by the action of saidadjustable means and grounding conductor means being electricallyconnected to said conductive band and extending radially outwardlybeyond said adjustable force applying means whereby said groundingconductor means is adapted to be maintained in effective electricalcontact with said metallic tape shield upon suitable adjustment of saidadjustable force applying means.
 12. The invention of claim 11 whereinsaid adjustable force applying means includes means for radiallycontracting and circumferentially elongating said band relative to saidouter periphery of said metallic tape shield.
 13. The invention of claim12 wherein said grounding conductor means includes a pair of remotelydisposed ends, one end of said grounding conductor means being disposedbetween said at least portion of said conductor band and said outerperiphery of said metallic tape shield and being maintained in effectiveelectrical contact with said metallic tape shield by the action of saidradially contracting and circumferentially elongating means when saidcontact means is disposed on said cable as hereinaforesaid.
 14. Theinvention of claim 13 wherein said at least portion of said conductiveband includes at least one other portion displaced along thelongitudinal extent of said band with respect to said one end of saidgrounding conducting means, said at least one other portion adapted tobe maintained in effective electrical contact with said metallic tapeshield by the action of said radially contracting means.
 15. Theapparatus of claim 12 wherein said radially contracting andcircumferential elongating means includes a clamping member circumjacentto said electrical contact means at least at the axial location of saidconductive band and includes adjustable means for constricting saidclamping member relative to the outer periphery of said metallic tapeshield when said contact means is disposed on said cable ashereinaforesaid.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15 further including ahousing member of elastomeric material, said housing member having apair of oppositely disposed end portions and a central portion, thecentral portion of said housing being adapted to surround saidelectrical contact means and said adjustable means while one end portionof said housing is adapted to resiliently engage the outer jacket ofsaid cable in watertight sealing relationship and the other end portionof said housing is adapted to engage in watertight sealing relationshipa corresponding surface of a shielded electrical connector or terminatorconnected to said cable.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein saidcentral portion of said elastomeric housing includes an exit aperturecommunicating with the interior thereof, said grounding conductor meansextending through and beyond said exit aperture, said exit apertureresiliently engaging said grounding conductor means in watertightsealing relationship therewith when said housing is located on saidcable with its central portion surrounding said electrical contact meansand said adjustable means.
 18. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein saidhousing comprises conductive material and is capable of establishingeffective electrical contact between said outer jacket of said cable andsaid corresponding surface of said shielded electrical connector orterminator when said housing is located on said cable with its centralportion surrounding said electrical contact means and said adjustablemeans.
 19. The apparatus of claim 11 further including an elastomericsleeve disposed between said electrical contact means and saidadjustable means at least at the axial location of said band.
 20. Theapparatus of claim 19 wherein said elastomeric sleeve comprisesconductive material.
 21. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein saidelastomeric sleeve includes a pair of oppositely disposed end portionsextending axially beyond said conductive band respectively, one of saidend portions being adapted to resiliently engage and grip the outerjacket of said cable in watertight sealing relationship and the other ofsaid end portions being adapted to engage and grip the insulation ofsaid cable in watertight sealing relationship and to engage thecorresponding surface of a shielded electrical connector or terminatorconnected to said cable adjacent to said other end portion.
 22. Theapparatus of claim 21 wherein said elastomeric sleeve comprisesconductive material and is capable of establishing effective electricalcontact between said outer jacket of said cable and said correspondingsurface of said shielded connector or terminator.
 23. The apparatus ofclaim 21 wherein one of said oppositely disposed end portions of saidsleeve has an inside diameter less than the outside diameter of saidouter jacket and the other of said oppositely disposed end portions ofsaid sleeve has an inside diameter less than the outside diameter ofsaid insulation, said corresponding surface of said shielded electricalconnector or terminator being defined by an axial bore being disposed inat least one end thereof, the diameter of said axial bore being lessthan the outside diameter of the other of said oppositely disposed endportions of said sleeve whereby said corresponding surface isresiliently dilatable for telescopic engagement with said otheroppositely disposed end portion of said sleeve.
 24. The apparatus ofclaim 23 wherein said outer jacket, said elastomeric sleeve, and saidcorresponding surface each comprise conductive material and saidelastomeric sleeve serves as an adaptor between said shielded connectoror terminator and said outer jacket by establishing effective electricalcontinuity between the outer jacket of said cable and the correspondingsurface of said shielded connector or terminator.
 25. The apparatus ofclaim 21 wherein said elastomeric sleeve further includes an exit collarsituated between said end portions, said other end of said groundingconductor means extending through and beyond said exit collar, said exitcollar resiliently engaging said grounding conductor means in watertightsealing relationship.
 26. Apparatus for use in connection with ashielded high voltage power cable of the type having an inner conductor,insulation surrounding the conductor, a shielding system including ametallic tape shield surrounding the insulation, and an outer jacketsurrounding the metallic tape shield, said apparatuscomprising:electrical contact means including a band of conductivematerial adapted to surround said metallic tape shield along at least aportion of the circumferential extent of the metallic tape shield'souter periphery when a portion of said outer jacket has been removed toexpose said metallic tape shield, said electrical contact means havingmeans for enabling resilient flexure of at least a portion of said bandin a radial direction relative to the outer periphery of said metallictape shield when said contact means is disposed on said cable inposition to circumferentially surround at least a portion of themetallic tape shield's outer periphery; adjustable means surroundingsaid electrical contact means for selectively applying a force to saidelectrical contact means whereby said at least portion of said band isadapted to be readily displaced into effective electrical contact withthe outer periphery of said metallic tape shield by the action of saidadjustable means, and; grounding conductor means being electricallyconnected to said conductive band and extending radially outwardlybeyond said force applying means; wherein said flexure means includes aplurality of axially extending undulations disposed in said conductiveband, said undulations defining a plurality of contact peaks adapted toengage said metallic tape shield and a plurality of alternately disposedgrooved portions having their apexes radially displaced from saidmetallic tape shield whereby said at least portion of said conductiveband comprises at least one of said groove portions and said bandincludes at least one other portion comprising at least one of saidcontact peaks.
 27. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein said adjustablemeans comprises a clamping member circumjacent said electrical contactmeans at least at the axial location of said conductive band andincludes means for constricting said clamping member relative to theouter periphery of said metallic tape shield whereby said at least oneof said contact peaks is capable of being maintained in effectiveelectrical contact with said metallic tape shield by the action of saidadjustable means.
 28. The apparatus of claim 27 further including anelastomeric sleeve surrounding said electrical contact means and beingdisposed between said conductive band and said clamping member at saidat least axial location of said band.
 29. The apparatus of claim 28wherein said elastomeric sleeve comprises conductive material. 30.Apparatus for use in connection with a shielded high voltage power cableof the type having an inner conductor, insulation surrounding theconductor, a shielding system including a metallic tape shieldsurrounding the insulation, and an outer jacket surrounding the metallictape shield, said apparatus comprising:electrical contact meansincluding a band of conductive material adapted to surround saidmetallic tape shield along at least a portion of the circumferentialextent of the metallic tape shield's outer periphery when a portion ofsaid outer jacket has been removed to expose said metallic tape shield,said electrical contact means having means for enabling resilientflexure of at least a portion of said band in a radial directionrelative to the outer periphery of said metallic tape shield when saidcontact means is disposed on said cable in position to circumferentiallysurround at least a portion of the metallic tape shield's outerperiphery; adjustable means surrounding said electrical contact meansfor selectively applying a force to said electrical contact meanswhereby said at least portion of said band is adapted to be radiallydisplaced into effective electrical contact with the outer periphery ofsaid metallic tape shield by the action of said adjustable means, and;grounding conductor means having a pair of remotely disposed ends, oneof said ends being electrically connected to said conductive band andthe other of said ends extending radially outwardly beyond said forceapplying means; wherein said flexure means includes at least one axiallyextending undulation disposed in said conductive band, said undulationdefining a grooved portion radially disposed from said metallic tapeshield when said contact means is disposed on said cable ashereinaforesaid, said one end of said grounding conductor means beingdisposed in effective electrical contact with said band in the region ofsaid grooved portion whereby the action of said adjustable means causesflexure of said grooved portion and displacement of said at leastportion of said band in a radial direction relative to said metallictape shield thereby bringing one end of said grounding conductor meansinto effective electrical contact with said metallic tape shield. 31.The apparatus of claim 30 wherein said one end of said groundingconductor means is connected to said conductive band within said groovedportion and is adapted to be maintained in contact with said metallictape shield by the action of said adjustable means.
 32. The apparatus ofclaim 30 wherein said adjustable means comprises a clamping membercircumjacent to said electrical contact means at least at the axiallocation of said conductive band and includes means for constrictingsaid clamping member relative to the outer periphery of said metallictape shield whereby said at least portion of said band is capable ofbeing maintained in effective electrical contact with said metallic tapeshield upon flexure of said grooved portion by the action of saidconstricting means.
 33. The apparatus of claim 30 further including anelastomeric sleeve surrounding said electrical contact means and beingdisposed between said conductive band and said adjustable means at leastat the axial location of said band.
 34. The apparatus of claim 33wherein said elastomeric sleeve comprises conductive material.
 35. Foruse in connection with a shielded high voltage power cable of the typehaving an inner conductor, insulation surrounding the conductor, ashielding system including a metallic tape shield surrounding theinsulation, and an outer jacket surrounding the metallic tape shield,apparatus comprising:an elastomeric sleeve, said sleeve being adapted tobe disposed on said cable in position to enclose a bared portion of saidmetallic tape shield, said sleeve having at least one end portionadapted to resiliently engage in watertight sealing relation the jacketof said cable, said sleeve further having an internal diametersubstantially greater than the outside diameter of said metallic tapeshield; an electric contact member disposed within said sleeve andadapted to resiliently engage the outer periphery of said bared portionof said metallic tape shield when said sleeve is disposed about saidcable in position to enclose said bared portion of said metallic tapeshield; a ground conductor electrically connected to said contact memberwithin said sleeve, said sleeve including an aperture therein, saidground conductor extending through said aperture and beyond said sleeve,and; a clamping member, said clamping member being adapted to maintainsaid contact member in resilient engagement with said metallic tapeshield when said elastomeric sleeve is disposed on said cable ashereinaforesaid.
 36. The apparatus of claim 35 wherein said aperture insaid sleeve resiliently engages in watertight sealing relation saidground conductor.
 37. The apparatus of claim 35 wherein said elastomericsleeve includes another end portion oppositely disposed with respect tosaid one end portion, said another end portion being adapted to engagein watertight sealing relation the insulation on said cable when saidsleeve is disposed on said cable in position to surround said baredportion of said metallic tape shield.
 38. The apparatus of claim 37wherein said sleeve comprises conductive material.
 39. The apparatus ofclaim 35 wherein said elastomeric sleeve comprises a housing andincludes another end portion oppositely disposed with respect to saidone end portion, said another end portion being adapted to engage inwatertight sealing relation a corresponding portion of a shieldedelectrical connector or terminator connected to said cable when saidsleeve is disposed on said cable in position to enclose said baredportion of said metallic tape shield.
 40. The apparatus of claim 39wherein said sleeve comprises conductive material.
 41. The apparatus ofclaim 39 further including a second elastomeric sleeve disposed withinsaid housing and circumferentially extending about at least said contactmember, said clamping member being disposed within said housing andcircumferentially engaging said second elastomeric sleeve at least atthe axial location of said contact member.
 42. The apparatus of claim 35wherein said clamping member circumferentially engages said elastomericsleeve at least at the axial location of said contact member.
 43. Theapparatus of claim 35 wherein said contact member comprises a conductiveband having a series of axially extending corrugations therein, saidband extending circumferentially with respect to at least a portion ofthe interior surface of said elastomeric sleeve, said corrugationsdefining a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart contact peaksadapted to be resiliently engageable with said metallic tape shield whensaid sleeve is disposed on said cable as hereinaforesaid.
 44. Apparatusfor use in connection with a shielded high voltage power cable of thetype having an inner conductor, insulation surrounding the conductor, ashielding system including a metallic tape shield surrounding theinsulation, and an outer jacket surrounding the metallic tape shield,said apparatus comprising:electrical contact means including a band ofconductive material adapted to engage said metallic tape shield along atleast a portion of the circumferential extent of the metallic tapeshield's outer periphery when a portion of said outer jacket has beenremoved to expose said metallic tape shield; adjustable meanssurrounding said electrical contact means for selectively applying aforce to said electrical contact means such that at least a portion ofsaid band is adapted to be maintained in effective electrical contactwith the outer periphery of said metallic tape shield by the action ofsaid adjustable means; said electrical contact means having means forenabling resilient flexure of at least a portion of said band relativeto the outer periphery of said metallic tape shield, and the adjustablemeans when said contact means is disposed on said cable in position tocircumferentially engage at least a portion of the metallic tapeshield's outer periphery and said means for selectively applying a forcehas been sufficiently adjusted to maintain said at least portion of saidband in effective electrical contact with said metallic tape shield,and; grounding conductor means being electrically connected to saidconductive band and extending radially outwardly beyond said adjustableforce applying means whereby said grounding conductor means and said atleast portion of said band are adapted to be maintained in effectiveelectrical contact with said metallic tape shield.
 45. For use inconnection with a shielded high-voltage power cable of the type havingan inner conductor, insulation surrounding the conductor, a shieldingsystem including a metallic tape shield surrounding the insulation andan outer jacket surrounding the metallic tape shield, apparatuscomprising:an elastomeric sleeve, said sleeve being adapted to bedisposed on said cable in position to enclose at least a bared portionof said metallic tape shield, said sleeve having one end portion adaptedto resiliently engage in watertight sealing relation the jacket on saidcable and having another end portion adapted to engage in watertightsealing relation insulation on said cable or a corresponding surface ofa shielded electrical connector or terminator connected to said cable,said sleeve having an aperture disposed in the wall thereof between saidend portions, an electric contact member disposed within said sleeve forengaging said bared portion of said metallic tape shield when saidsleeve is disposed on said cable in position to enclose said baredportion of said metallic tape shield.Iadd., said member including meansfor enabling resilient flexure of at least a portion of said member inboth a radial and a circumferential direction relative to the outerperiphery of said metallic tape shield.Iaddend.; and a ground conductorelectrically connected to said contact member within said sleeve andextending through said aperture in said sleeve and beyond said sleeve.46. The apparatus of claim 45 wherein said elastomeric sleeve comprisesconductive material.
 47. The apparatus of claim 45 wherein said aperturein said sleeve resiliently engages said ground conductor.